Joshua Sells has been honored for his exemplary

Transporter Published: February 13, 2003 12:00 AM

Joshua Sells has been honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a state-level certificate of excellence from the 2003 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program.

Joshua was nominated for this award by Rootstown High School where he is a senior and a valedictorian of his graduating class.

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Presented annually by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people across America for outstanding community service activities.

Congratulations to Josh.

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On Tuesday, Dr. Ray Guarendi, parenting expert from Canton, will make his now-annual appearance at Rootstown Local Schools. Guarendi will offer Lessons for Life from Children beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Rootstown Middle School cafeteria.

All parents and interested community members are invited and encouraged to attend.

In honor of Black History month, the Rootstown Historical Societys February meeting will focus on the Underground Railroad in Portage County.

Guest speaker is Carey Steele, president of the Randolph Historical Society. Carey recently discovered that her home was a station on the Underground Railroad.

Historical Society members and guests are encouraged to bring information and pictures pertaining to the Underground Railroads presence in Rootstown.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the First Congregational Church of Rootstown, United Church of Christ at S.R. 44 and Tallmadge Road.

Rootstown senior citizens will have the opportunity to celebrate the first day of spring when the senior luncheons resume on March 20 at the Rootstown Middle School cafeteria after a winter hiatus from December through February.

Luncheons begin at 12:50 p.m. and always offer entertainment and great food as well as the opportunity to socialize in the middle school.

Students Against Destructive Decisions will be holding tryouts for the annual SADD Talent Show beginning Tuesday. Senior Brandon Winkler is in charge of the show to be held later this school year.

The Rootstown Lions Club awarded the GOOD awards for February to students in the Rootstown Local Schools.

Earning the GOOD award are: Brandon Burkey, a member of the first-grade class at Rootstown Elementary School; Holly Irsak, a sixth-grade student at Rootstown Middle School; and Jason Polack, a senior at Rootstown High School.

Rootstown Middle School held the annual spelling bee with students advancing to the Portage County Spelling Bee at Maplewood Career Center at 7 p.m. Feb. 27.

Eighth-grade student Ann Foerster and seventh-grade student Ryan Kramer won the spelling bee and will represent Rootstown Schools. This will be the second year for Ann to travel to the Portage County Spelling Bee. Jennifer Hormell, a member of the sixth-grade class is the alternate.

Students at Rootstown Middle School will enjoy a Valentines Day dance from 2:15 to 4 p.m. Friday. Pictures and carnations will be available to purchase as well as snacks and beverages.

Students attending the dance are required to stay at school rather than leave and return to the dance.

Rootstown Elementary School has named students in the fourth grade to the honor and merit rolls for the second grading period.